Automatic dispensing device



Oct. 5, 1965 M. A. KISE ETAL AUTOMATIC DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Nov. 50, 1964 INVENTORE F/G. 3 MEARL ALTON KISE WILLIAM GARDNER HART ANTHONY DOMINIC GIORGI WP Wm ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,209,950 AUTOMATIC DISPENSING DEVICE Mearl Alton Kise, 112 Monitor Road, Portsmouth, Va.,

William Gardner Hart, 1003 Iopono Loop, Oahu,

Hawaii, and Anthony Dominic Giorgi, 2727 W.

Meadow Drive, Chesapeake, Va.

Filed Nov. 30, 1964, Ser. No. 414,578 12 Claims. (Cl. 222-70) The present invention relates to an improved automatic dispenser for fluids in a self-contained system wherein a solenoid valve actuated by a pre-set clock mechanism intermittently disperses fluid being maintained under super-atmospheric pressure.

Automatic dispensing devices used for conveying fluids such as insecticides, for example, are well known in the art. However, the development of equipment for the periodic dispensing of insecticides from a pressure-type dispenser, wherein the active fluid is maintained under superatmospheric pressure by means of a liquefied gas and released or dispensed with the use of a solenoid valve, remains a problem of long standing. Numerous inventors, such as Kraus (US. Patent No. 2,613,108), have developed fluid dispensers in which the nozzle and valve mechanism are actuated by a clock mechanism. Inventor Edlestein (U.S. Patent No. 2,928,573), for example, discloses a motor driven valve actuator for pressurized atomizers or aerosol containers wherein a valve assembly is actuated periodically by a synchronous motor and plunger causing the motor to reverse its direction. Watson (US. Patent No. 2,949,212) also discloses a nonpressurized liquid feeder in which a motor actuating assembly causes a carrier member to oscillate the flow of liquid through the feeder during a portion of each oscillation. Further, Edlestein et al. (U.S. Patent No. 2,967,643) discloses a motor driven valve actuating assembly for automatically and periodically actuating a spray atomizer, the actuator including a mechanism consisting of a carrier which moves through an operating cycle. Giovannoni et al. (US. Patent No. 3,072,302) disclose a dispensing device primarily for use with nonpressurized liquids wherein a solenoid is energized by a timer mechanism opening a valve assembly located immediately below the supply of liquid. Lambert (U.S. Patent No. 3,107,821) discloses a timed aerosol dispenser wherein a lever is used to depress the valve cap of the dispenser in accordance with a timing mechanism. Montgomery (US. Patent No. 3,018,056) discloses a timed spray dispenser wherein a cam driven clock means is used to actuate the valve of the spray dispenser. Vosbikian et al. (US. Patent No. 3,127,060) discloses an automatic actuator for spray containers wherein a solenoid is used to actuate the cap of the container in accordance with the opening and closing of a circuit. Duchi (US. Patent No. 2,881,951) discloses a timed dispensing attachment for receptacles containing granular material wherein flow is regulated by the retraction of a cover plate which in turn is actuated by timed shaft.

The present design of a relatively simple and compact mechanism for the automatic and periodic dispensing of fluids, which constitutes the subject matter of this invention, is considered a patentable advancement over the prior art and particularly the patents cited above.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a relatively simple and compact mechanism for the automatic and periodic dispensing of fluids such as insecticides.

Another object of the present invention to provide for the periodic dispensing of insecticides in a warehouse with the use of a pressure type dispenser wherein the active fluid contained therein is maintained under superatmospheric pressure by means of a liquefied gas.

3,209,950 Patented Oct. 5, 1965 "ice A further object of the present invention is to provide an automatic dispensing device wherein the dispensing of a metered amount of fluid is initiated and regulated by the actuation of a solenoid valve by a pre-set clock mechanism.

Yet, additional objects of invention will become apparent from the ensuing specification and attached drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the automatic dispensing device;

FIGURE 2 is a bottom view of FIGURE 1 looking upward; and

FIGURE 3 is a top view of FIGURE 1 looking downward.

As seen in FIGURES 1 through 3, the automatic dispensing device disclosed herein consists of an aerosol container 10 having a hanging member 11 welded or bolted to the bottom portion thereof, and provided with a neck portion 12 into which is mounted a valve assembly 14 which terminates in wheel 15; an adapter 16, elbow 18, solenoid valve 20, and nozzle 22 fitted with tube 24 within the orifice body.

The following specifications of the component parts of the novel dispensing device are noted:

Container 10: Volume of 244 cu. in.; I.C.C. Spec. 3B300; 6 /2" dia. X 11" overall length; 0.090 in. min. wall thickness; A" NGT, seamless construction with curled foot ring welded to bottom, also with a nut welded in the center of the bottom with threads A" (INT) 20 NC-2.

Valve assembly 14: O-ring type cylinder end NGT; outlet 1.030 in.14 NGO-R.H.-ext., with brass plug.

Adapter 16: Brass swivel type with 30 x 250 mesh twilled Dutch weave, Monel screen, 1.030"-l4 NGO/ INT threads one end and A in. taper pipe threads other end.

Elbow 18: Brass street, A in. pipe size.

30 x 250 mesh screen: between the elbow 18 and the solenoid valve 20 is inserted a 30 x 250 mesh twilled Dutch weave, Monel screen A CD. with 0.010" x wide binder around circumference, 0.0005" thickness.

Solenoid valve 20: Plastic body and diaphragm; normally closed, in. orifice, in. female NPT inlet and outlet, /2 in. female NPT conduit connections, volt, 60 cycle, modified for p.s.i. service Nozzle 22: Plastic in. NPT, with 0.095 in. through hole.

Tube 24: Plastic 1 in. long; O.D. 0.090"; I.D. 0.025 in.

In operation, the automatic dispensing device functions as follows:

The container 10 is filled with aerosol material usually comprising a fluorocarbon carrier and propellent in which is dissolved the liquid insecticide to be dispensed. Since the fluorocarbon is partially in liquid state and partially in gaseous state, the propellent takes the form of a gas under high super-atmospheric pressure above the level of the liquid material to be dispensed.

The container 10 is hung in an inverted position with the use of a curled foot-ring or hanging member 11 thus, allowing neck portion 12 of cylinder 10 and upper portion of valve assembly 14 to always be filled with the liquid to be dispensed. When handle 15 of valve assembly 14 is turned, the liquid passes through a first 30 x 250 mesh twilled Dutch weave, Monel screen into adapter 16. Thereafter, the solution continues to pass from elbow 18 through a second 30 x 250 mesh twilled Dutch weave, Monel screen into solenoid valve 20 wherein its flow is terminated until such time as solenoid valve 20 is actuated by the aforementioned pre-set clock mechanism (not shown). After solenoid valve 20 is actuated by the aforementioned pre-set clock mechanism, the liquid passes into a tube 24, which is fitted into nozzle 22, and then to the atmosphere as a mist of particles averaging 30 microns in size.

In designing the steel container 10 for use with a particular insecticide of interest, it is necessary to apply a phenolic lining to the container to insure against decomposition of the active material. This phenolic lining and the method of applying same to cylinder 10 is described hereinafter.

Lining of cylinder 10 is accomplished by treating with two coats of phenolic resin, having a Brookfield viscosity of 70 to 90 cps. and thinned with isopropanol to prevent tears of materials forming within cylinder 10. As a result of this procedure, a shelf life of 18 months is reported. The coating procedure is as follows:

(1) Mix resin until uniform.

(2) Add approximately one (1) liter to each container.

(3) Rotate container slowly while closing off open end avoiding aeration of coating solution.

(4) After draining container of excess liquid, allow same to lie on side to drain the bottom surface after which the container is placed in an inverted position for at least one hour to drain the excess coating.

(5) Bake the container in an inverted position while being held in a carrier using a 9-minute off-on cycle of the conveyor belt with the belt in motion for 2 minutes and stationary for 7 minutes (total time in oven with all lights on should be 50 to 60 minutes).

(6) Repeat treatment for double coating.

The temperature range reached in the oven at various points varies from 375 degrees F. to 425 degrees F. The proper cure of the coating is indicated by lack of any color of acetone exposed to the coating for a half hour or so and by the shade of the cured coating color which is of a reddish-brown cast.

Manifestly, interchange of parts and reconfiguration thereof, particularly in the precise clock mechanism to be used, which may consist of an electrical plug, a number of such plugs connected in series or a single clock mechanism, may be employed without departing from the scope of invention, as defined in the subjoined claims.

We claim:

1. An automatic dispensing device for fluid, comprismg:

(A) a container having a hanger member attached to one end thereof and terminating in a neck portion at the other end;

(B) a valve assembly mounted within said neck portion, said valve assembly including an outlet and a valve gate regulated by a handle extending therefrom;

(C) an adaptor assembly having first and second ends terminating in screen members, said first end being attached to said outlet of said valve assembly;

(D) an elbow section having an inlet and an outlet end, said inlet end being attached to said second end of said adaptor assembly;

(E) a solenoid valve attached to said outlet end of said elbow section, said solenoid valve having a nozzle section terminating in a tube through which said fluid is dispensed.

2. An automatic dispensing device for fluid as in claim 1, wherein said container is cylindrical.

3. An automatic dispensing device for a fluid as in claim 1, including means for hermetically sealing within said container an active fluid with a liquefied gas while maintaining said gas liquefied until released from said container.

4. An automatic dispensing device for fluid as in claim 3, including means for periodically actuating said solenoid valve at predetermined intervals.

5. An automatic dispensing device for fluid as in claim 4, wherein said container includes an internal coating of phenolic resin.

6. An automatic dispensing device for fluid as in claim 5, wherein said phenolic resin has a Brookfield viscosity of between and cps.

7. An automatic dispensing device for fluid, comprising:

(A) an aerosol container terminating in a neck por tion at one end thereof;

(B) a manually regulated valve assembly mounted within said neck portion;

(C) solenoid valve means terminating in a nozzle section;

(D) connection assembly means interposed between said valve assembly and said solenoid valve defining a passageway for fluid; and

(E) pre-set clock mechanism means for actuating said solenoid valve at preselected intervals.

8. An automatic dispensing device for fluid as in claim 7, wherein said connection assembly means includes:

(A) an adaptor assembly having first and second ends terminating in screen members, said first end being attached to said valve assembly; and

(B) an elbow section having an inlet and an outlet end,

said inlet end being attached to said adaptor assembly and said outlet end being attached to said solenoid valve.

9. An automatic dispensing device for fluid as in claim 8, wherein said container is cylindrical and includes a hanger member attached to an end thereof opposite said neck portion.

10. An automatic dispensing device for fluid as in claim 9, including means for hermetically sealing with said container an active fluid with a liquefied gas while maintaining said gas liquefied until released from said container.

11. An automatic dispensing device for fluid as in claim 10, wherein said container includes an internal coating of phenolic resin.

12. An automatic dispensing device for fluid as in claim 11, wherein said phenolic resin has a Brookfield viscosity of between 70 and 90 cps.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/54 Gubelin 22270 X 5/65 Kus 222-l81 X References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS LOUIS J. DEMBQ Primary Examiner. 

7. AN AUTOMATIC DISPENSING DEVICE FOR FLUID, COMPRISING: (A) AN AEROSOL CONTAINER TERMINATING IN A NECK PORTION AT ONE END THEREOF; (B) A MANUALLY REGULATED VALVE ASSEMBLY MOUNTED WITHIN SAID NECK PORTION; (C) SOLENOID VALVE MEANS TERMINATING IN A NOZZLE SECTION; (D) CONNECTION ASSEMBLY MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID VALVE ASSEMBLY AND SAID SOLENOID VALVE DEFINING A PASSAGEWAY FOR FLUID; AND (E) PRE-SET CLOCK MECHANISM MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID SOLENOID VALVE AT PRESELECTED INTERVALS, 